Judge Gerald Fisher ruled Saturday that there was enough evidence to hold Buckley, 21, in connection with the fatal shooting, which occurred on the morning of January 25.
Lee was D.C.’s fourth homicide victim of the year; she died at the scene of the incident from a single gunshot wound to the head.

According to arrest documents, Buckley agreed to be interviewed by detectives on the day of the murder, but changed his story several times over the course of the interrogation. Eventually, Buckley told police that he and Lee had met via a social media app called Tagged, and that they had been communicating with each other for the purpose of developing a sexual relationship.

Earlier that morning, Buckley and Lee were waiting at a bus stop near the intersection of 5th Street and Nicholson Street Northwest when Lee refused Buckley’s advances, the documents say. The two hugged and were about to part ways when Buckley received a phone call from someone who owed him money.

Buckley told police he left Lee at the bus station and walked one block north to collect his money, but when he reached the intersection he heard a single gunshot. Buckley turned around and observed a black male dressed in all black running from the scene of the shooting. Buckley then ran back to the bus stop, where Lee was lying unconscious, and he took her iPhone, according to documents in the case.

Evidence from cell phone towers shows that Buckley and Lee’s phones were in similar locations at the time of the murder, according to court documents.

The iPhone’s GPS was tracked by Verizon Wireless and led detectives to Buckley’s apartment where the phone was retrieved from a shoe in the bedroom closet. A 9mm semi-automatic handgun was also found in Buckley’s apartment.

What is Homicide Watch D.C.?

Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…

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What is Homicide Watch D.C.?

Homicide Watch is a community-driven reporting project covering every murder in the District of Columbia. Using original reporting, court documents, social media, and the help of victims’ and suspects’ friends, family, neighbors and others, we cover every homicide from crime to conviction. Read more…